Packaging



G. P. WHITE April 6, 1931,

PACKAGING Filed Aug. 27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 m u G t mq i I JIIMIIIIIHIIIIIIIHIH W H h I I IMM I I H u um um OJ m? Q Q r m L @U T uNw/\ w w H m :I mm 9 6M mw 9 mm Q Q L \LH m mm mm Q v i QM April 6, 1937. G. P. WHITE PACKAGING Filed Augu27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. P. WHITE April 6, 1937.

PACKAGING Filed Aug. 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Shgat 3 F 7f a 25/1 1 0 h mmy P i,

W/zzfi Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE I nonsense George P. White, Chicago, 111., assignor to White Cap Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,583

22 Claim.

vessels or containers and the application and sealing of closure caps on the vessels.

The general object 01 the invention is the provision of a simple and easily operated apparatus 1 which will function with certainty and at a desirable output rate to accomplish the evacuation or displacement of air from within packing vessels and apply and seal closure caps upon them.

A more particular object is the provision of 15 such an apparatus which will occupy but little space and which will require but little power for its operation.

Another object is the provision of such apparatus which is adaptable to the handling of ves- 20 sels and closure caps of various sizes by virtue of a few very simple adjustments.

\ Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out or indicated hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in 25 the art upon an understanding or the invention or its employment in use.

For aid in explaining the character of the invention, I illustrate in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciflcationjand 0 hereinafter described, certain forms of apparatus in which it may be embodied and practiced, but it is to be understood that these are presented merely by way of illustration, and are not .to be interpreted in any fashion calculated to limit 35 the claims short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view of ,a' portion of a machine embodying the invention;

40 Fig. 2 is a perspective elevational view of such machine; 7 Fig. 3 is a transverse elevational view on substantially line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top or plan view;

45 Fig. 5 is a side elevationalview of a form of driving mechanism which may be employed for operation of the machine;

' Fig. 6 is a-side elevational detail illustrating the cap-applying means on a larger scale; and

50 Fig. '7 is a sectional elevational detail of a modifled form of sealing head.

Described generally the invention provides an apparatus which-includes a housing or chamber in which an atmosphere of hot condensable vapor 55 may be maintained by continuous introduction 01' such vapor thereinto, and in which chamber is housed a sealing device which ,isoperable to seat or seal an appropriate closure cap on a vessel. This housing or chamber is open at one 'end, and between the open end and sealing device is 5 disposed a cap-applying device adapted to position closure caps for application to the vessels incident to movement of the latter to the seal ing position under the sealing device. Means is provided for moving vessels into the steam cham- 10 ber and past the closure-applying device, where closure caps are applied to them, and to sealing position under the sealing device, and then withdrawing the vessels from the steam chamber by movement in a direction opposite to that in which they were introduced. Means is provided for actuating the sealing device to seal the closure caps on the vessels at the sealing station, and

to remove the closure-applying device from the path 01' the-sealed vessels so that they may pass it without interference-during their return from the sealing station.

The inventionwiil be understood in more detail with reference to the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, which will now be described. The reference numeral Ili designates various parts of aframe upon which the appa-' ratus is supported. on this frame isfixed a hollow upright standard II, and a housing member I2 is guided on the standard II for vertical sliding movement. The housing. member has a top portion He and depending parallel side walls 12b, and the top is provided with an aperture at i2c. Hinged at it on the top wall is a rocking frame l5 which carries a cover member it that has portions extending into the aperture I20 in a manner such as substantially to close the same. The cover member carries a pair of rails ll which are arranged in parallel relationship to form a cap chute that extends into the hous- 40 ing through the aperture He, the upper portion of said rails extending above the cover member for the reception of closure caps which may slide down the rails in single file. At the lower end of one 01. the rails is a spring pressed detent I8 which engages the lowermost cap so as to hold it on the chute but in a sloping position in which the, forward portion of the cap extends beyond and below the lower end of the rails. In association with the lower end of the rails is a cap-leveling device i9, which is supported on the cover member. This detent and cap-leveling device may be of the type which is illustrated in fuller detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,041,891, issued May 26.. 1936 to my assignee, White Cap Company.

Guided for vertical reciprocation in a bearing 20 is a sealing plunger 2| which carries at its lower end a sealing head 22 which has passages.

. therein for circulation of a cooling fluid. Tubes 24 (see Figs. 2 and 4) are mounted in the sealing head and communicate with its passages, said tubes extending slidably through apertures in the top I24, one of them being connected with a source of fluid supply by a flexible tube 25, and

the other .to a point of discharge by a flexible tube 25'.

A rod 26 is mounted for reciprocation in the standard I I, and at its upper end is connected to a yoke member'Z'l. On the upper end of the standard II is flxed a bracket 28 on which is hinged a lever 29 having one end engaged in the yoke 27 and the other end hinged to a sleeve 30.

The upper portion of the sealing plunger 21 is threaded, and on it are screwed adjusting nuts ii and 32 between which is a sleeve 34 that is slidable on the plunger. A spring 35 is interposed between the lower end of the sleeve and the lower adjusting nut 3|. Upward movement of the rod 26 lifts yoke 21 and swings lever 29, 25 thereby moving plunger 21 and sealing head 22 downwardly through the medium of spring 35, whichis relatively stifi. After such operation of the sealing head 22, the parts are restored by the reaction of spring 36 which is interposed between bracket 28 and a collar-31 on rod 26. The rod 26 may be operated by treadle mechanism 36, as illustrated in Fig. 2. g

The sides l2b of the housing depend in close association with. the sides of a table 39 which extends from below the sealing head 22 to a point outside the open end of the housing. On this table is mounted'and guided a feeding slide. 40, which may be reciprocated longitudinally of the table. The feeding slide has a. handle 4| at its 40 rearwardend and adjacent its forward end carries a vessel positioning member 42. On the feeding slide is mounted a positioning slide 44, which has a hand engageable portion atits rearward end and a positioning member 46 at 4 its forward end. This positioning slide is reciprocable longitudinally on the feeding slide and is urged to its forward position by a light spring 41. The positioning members 42 and 46 are adapted to engage-a packing vessel between them 50 and hold it on the longitudinal axis of the table, which axis is on the longitudinal median line of the cap chute and sealing head 22. Hence, when a vessel is set upon the feeding slide and engaged by the members 42 and 46, itmay be moved into the housing, and past the lower end of the cap chute, to a position below the sealing head 22, by forward movement of the feeding slide on the table. This movement may be imparted by hand,

through the medium of the handle 4]. As the vessel passes the lower end of the cap chute, it

engages the depending portion of the lowermost cap supported thereon and withdraws the cap from the-spring detent means, the cap-leveling device l9operating to level the capjn proper position on the vessel as it passes thereunder to the sealing station below the sealing head 22.

described, whereby the closure cap is seated and sealed on the vessel, the sealed vessel may be withdrawn from the sealing chamber by drawing the feeding slide 40 outwardly. To permit this, means is provided for removing the cap-applying device (which includes the cap-leveling device l9) 'from the path of the'sealed vessel. The

75 means for accomplishing this is as IOIIQWS; At

'a lifter rod 52.

46 on the machine frame is rotatably moimted a squared shaft 46 which fits slidably in a bushing 50 that is rotatably mounted in an extension. of the housing member I2. The bushing 59 carries a crank arm 5| ,(Fig. 4) to which is hinged The rearward portion of lifter rod 52 rides on a roller 54 which is coaxial with thehinge of rocking frame l5, and a roller 55, which is journaledon the rocking frame at a point ahead of roller 54, rides on lifter rod 52. As seen in. Figs. 1 and 2,lifter rod is offset vertically adjacent its rearward end, to form an incline for cooperation with roller 55.

.A crank arm 56 is fixed on shaft 49, and to its.

outer end. is hinged a thrust rod 5fl, which ex-' tends rearwardly alongside the casing wall and has its rearward end 51a turned inwardly to lie in the path of a pair of lugs 58 and 59 which are carried on feeding slide 40. Disposal of said lugs is such that as the feeding slide is completing its inward movement, after the vessel has passed'the cap-applying device and is reaching the sealing station, lug 58 will contact rod portion 51a, and incident to the remainder of the forward movement of the feeding slide, will thrust the rod 51 forwardly, swinging crank arm 56 and rotating square shaft 49. Such rotation of shaft 49 will rotate bushing 50 and draw lifting rod 52 forwardly, causing its incline to travel on roller 55, and thus rock rocking frame l5 to lift the forward end of cover member 3 and elevate thecapapplying device to a position clear of the return path of the sealed container.

Incident to the return or outward movement of feeding slide 40 whereby the sealed container is withdrawn from the housing, lug 59 engages rod portion 51a and draws thrust rod 51' rearwardly, thus restoring lifter rod 52 and permitting rocking frame l5 and the cap-applying device carried thereby to resume their lowered positions.

when the feeding slide 40 has thus been operated to withdraw the sealed container from the chamber, the positioning slide 44 may be retracted by hand, to permit removal of the sealed container and substitution of an open one. Or, such operation of .the positioning slide may be effected automatically'through the medium of a bell crank lever 60 which is hinged on slide 46 in position such that one arm may cooperate with portion 45 and the other arm with an abutment member 6| which projects upwardly from the side of table 39.

To provide an atmosphere of hot condensable vapor in the sealing chamber, particularly in the upper portion which is traversed by the mouth portion of the vessel, hot steam may be introduced into the upper portion of the housing in a suitable fashion. As illustrated in Figs.- 1 and 3 the rearward portion of the housing top may be hollow as indicated at 52, and passages 64 providedleading to a series of ports 65 which open into the upper portion of the chamber. Steam from a suitable source is supplied through a pipe 56 at a continuous rate adequate to maintain the upper portion .of the chamber fllled with hot After the operation of the sealing head as above condensable vapor. Y

To accommodate the apparatus to vessels of different-heights and to vessels and closm-es of different diameters, simple adjustments are provided. }The spacing of the chute rails I! may be varied by operation of an adjusting screw 61 (see Fig. 4 which moves them toward or from each other in equal increments. The form and arrangement of the positioning members 42 and joumaled on an'extension of the housing and threaded on a stationary screw post Ill mounted on the frame, the rotation of the nut being accomplished by operation of a crank 'II which has beveled gear connection with the nut. Incident to such change in the elevation of the housing a corresponding adjustment of nuts SI and 32 on sealing plunger 2| is made.

Reference has been made above to operation of the machine manually, as by hand operation of the slides and foot operation of the treadle. The machine also may be equipped for mechanical operationwhich is cyclical and automatic. Such an operating means is illustrated in Fig. 5 and includes a motor or other suitable power source 15 which drives a pulley I6 that actuates a worm ll which drives the worm gear 78 aflixed to a cam shaft 19. This cam shaft carries a slide operating cam 80 adapted to actuate a lever 8i that is connected to a lever 82 having connection with the feeding slide 40. Cam shaft 18 carries sealing cam 84 which is adapted to actuate a thrust rod 85 which is connected by a lever 88 with rod 26. The eflect of feeding cam 89 is to move slide 40 outwardly or rearwardly and controlits return by a spring 81. In such mechanical operation of the machine, operation of positioning slide I4 is accomplished automatically through the medium of lever 60 and abutment member 6|, together with spring 41. The relative rotational positions of earns 80 and 86 are such as to efiect operation of the sealing head 22 after the vessel has reached the proper position thereunder, and to elevate the sealing head before the feeding slide is moved rearwardly to withdraw the vessel. The form of feeding cam 80 is such as to allow the slide 40 a rest period in its extreme rearward position, to permit removal of the sealed package and substitution of an. open container, and alsoto allow the slide a rest period at its forwardmost position during operation of the sealing head. The operation of various parts of the apparatus having been described above, I will now describe the operations in their proper sequence, as accomplished for .the sealing of successive packages. A suitable supply of hot dry steam is maintained through pipe 66, so that the upper portion of the sealing chamber is kept filled with the hot vapor which is emitted through the ports 65. Appropriate closure caps are placed on the chute rails i1, down which they slide until the lowermost is within the sealing chamber, in substantially the position designated in dotted lines C in Fig. 1, where it is retained by the spring pressed detent. The feeding slide 40 being in its rearward or outermost position, illustrated in Fig. l, the positioning slide 34 is drawn rearwardiy, and a vessel, with its content of material, is placedon slide 40 in engagement with the positioning member 12, approximately in the position shown in dotted profile V in Fig. l. The feeding slide 40 is thenmoved forwardly, the positioning slide being released so that its positioning members 46 are moved into contact with the vessel by spring 41, thereby positioning the vessel on the longitudinal axis of the feeding slide. As the vessel is moved forwardly into and through the rearward portion of the sealing chamber, itsopen mouth portion travels through the hot vapor atmosphere which is maintained therein,'incident to which movement the air within the head space or unfilled portion of the vessel is displaced by the hot vapor. The lowermost cap, which meanwhile has been resting in the hot vapor, has been heated and filled-thereby, and as the vessel is moved forwardly, its upper portion contacts the portion of the cap which lies in its path, and withdraws the cap from the retention of the detent, so that the cap comes to rest upon the rim of the vessel, by which it is carried forwardly under the cap-applying device l9, and to a position beneath the sealing. head 22. On withdrawal of the lowermost cap the succeeding caps,

slide down the chute until the lowermost one is arrested by the detent. The vessel reaches a position under the sealing head at the end of the forward movement of the feeding slide. Thereupon the feeding slide remains stationary while the sealing head is moved downwardly to seat and seal the cap on the vessel; Meanwhile a flow of cooling fluid through the cavities in the sealing head has been maintained, thus keeping the sealing head relatively cool. The sealing head is held down on the seated cap for a brief period, with the result that the cap and the vapor within the head space of the vessel are somewhat cooled. This has the efiect of reducing pressure within the sealed vessel and preventing the blowing oil of the cap. After the vessel has passed the capapplying device and is moving-to sealing position, the rocking frame i5 is rocked to raise the cap-applying device out of the return path of the vessel. Consequently, when the sealing head is elevated, the 'feeding slide may be immediately withdrawn to move the sealed vessel quickly out of the sealing chamber and to the starting position. Incident to this outward movement of the feeding slide, the rocking frame is rocked to restore the cap-applying device to its lowered position, where it holds the next cap in position for application to another vessel which is positioned on the feeding slide after the sealed one has been removed.

' In the operation of the feeding slide .by hand, the resistance ofiered by the means which shifts the cap-applying device imposes a decelerating influence on the slide as it approaches its forward limit position. Thistends to prevent a too sudden stopping of the slide. In the mechanically operated mechanism this effect may be obtained by a proper profile of the feeding cam. Types of closure caps which may be employed eifectively in apparatus of this type are illustrated in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,590,787 and 1,807,187, but it is to be understood that other types of closure caps may be utilized in it with like results.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention may be embodied in a very simple ap-' paratus which requires but little space, and but a small amount of power for its operation. A high degree of vacuum may be obtained in packages sealed in the apparatus above described, as

the movement of the open vessel through the -on the vessel, the unfilled space within the package is occupied by the hot vapor, with the result that upon the cooling of the cap under 1 sterilizing conditions in the hot vapor atmosphere.

In the modified form of sealing head illustrated in Fig. 7, the lower face is provided with intersecting radial and annular channels 220 communicating with the interior passages by a port 2217 which normally is closed by a valve 23.

When the sealing head is pressed into engagement with a closure cap on a vessel .therebelow, the stem of the valve is thrust upwardly, thus unseating the valve and permitting cooling .water to flow from the interior passages out onto the cap, for the purpose of cooling it while it is held seated on the-vessel by the sealing head.

What I claim is:

1. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a feeding device operable to move a packing vessel first in a forward direction and then in a reverse direction, a cap-applying device arranged to feed and present closure 'caps successively in position for application to a succession of vessels in the course of their forward movement by the feeding device, and a sealing device operable to seal the applied cap on each: of the successive vessels at the end of its forwardmovement and before the start of its reverse movement.

2. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a sealing device operable to seat a closure cap on a packing vessel, feeding means operable to move a packing vessel to the sealing device in one direction and from the sealing device in an opposite direction, a cap-applying device in the path of movement of the vessel to the sealing'device, and shifting means operable to shift the cap-applying device from the path of the vessel prior to its movement from the sealing device. Y

3. Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 2 and whereinthe feeding device comprisesa reciprocable slide adapted to support a packing vessel and said shifting means is' operated in cident to movement of the slide.

4. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a reciprocable feeding member adapted to support a packing vessel and to move the same first in an advancing direction and then in an opposite direction, a cap-applying device and a sealing device arranged over the path of movement of the feeding member for cooperation with a vessel thereon, means. for operating the sealing device after completion of the advancing movement of the feeding member, and means for shifting the cap-applying device after the vessel has been advanced past the same.

5. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing device operable to seat a closure cap on a packing vessel, areciprocable feeding member operable to move -a packing vessel to and from the sealing device, a cap-applying device arranged to support a closure cap in position-to engage a vessel while the vessel is moving to the sealing device, and means operable to en'ect movement of the cap-applying device toward and from the feeding member while the vessel is being moved by the feeding member.

'6. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing device operable to-seat a closure cap on a packing vessel, a rocking frame, a capapplying device supported by said rocking frame for supporting a cap for application to the vessel, feeding means operable'to move the packing vessel past the cap-applying device on the way to and from the sealing device, and means for rocking the rocking frame to move the .capapply n device toward and from the path of the vessel while the vessel is being moved by the feeding means.

7. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a sealing chamber open at one end, a sealing device operablein said chamber,- feeding means operable to move a packing vessel into and out of the chamber through the open end thereof, a cap-applying device arranged to ap ly a cap to a vessel in the course of its movement in. the chamber, means for supplying hot vapor to the chamber, and means for cooling the sealing device.

8. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination asealing chamber open at one end, a sealing device operable in said chamber, a reciprocable feeding member operable to move a packing vessel into and out of said chamber through its open end, a cap-applying device arranged to pply a closure cap to the vessel in the course of its movement in the chamber, and

means for supplying hot vapor to the chamber.

9, Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a sealing chamber open at one end and closed at the other, a sealing device in said chamber adjacent the closed end thereof, feeding means operable to move a packing vessel into and outof the chamber through the open end thereof and to a position below the sealing device, a cap-applying device disposed in the chamber between its open end and the sealing device, and means for supplying hot chamber.

10. Package sealing apparatus as specified-in claim 9 and including means operable in conjunctionwith the feeding means to effect shifting .of the cap-applying means toward and from the path of the vessel.

11. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a sealing device, a reciprocable slide operable to move a packing vessel to and from the sealing device, a cap-applying device arranged for cooperation with a packing vessel in the course of its movement to the sealing device, and means operable from the slide for shifting the capapplying device.

12. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a cap-applying device, a reciprocable slide operable to move apacklngvessel forwardly and rearwardly past the cap-applying device, positioning members carried by the slide for cooperation with the packing vessel to hold the same, and means operable incident to movement of the slide for shifting one of said positioning members i .to free the vessel at the end of its rearward movement.

1-3. In packing apparatus, in combination, a sealing chamber having an aperture through its top, a shiftable cover member substantially closing said aperture in its different positions, a capapplying device carried-by said cover member and disposed within the chamber, feeding means for moving a packing vessel in the chamber and past the cap-applying device, and means for shifting vapor to the sealing 2,070,052 the cover member incident to movement of the feeding means.

14. Package sealing apparatus as specified in claim 13 and including meansfor supplying hot vapor into the sealing chamber.

15. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing chamber having a top aperture, feeding means for moving packing vessels in said chamber and past said aperture, a shiftable cover m member substantially closing said aperture, and

a cap chute carried by said cover member and extending through said aperture.

16. Package sealing apparatus comprising in combination a sealing device operable to seal a 1 closure cap on a packing vessel, reciprocable feeding means operable to move a packing vessel to and from said sealing device, a cap chute arranged for cooperation with a vessel in the course of its movement to the sealing device, and means 20 operable in conjunction with the feeding means for shifting said cap chute.

1'7. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, feeding means formoving a packing vessel first in one direction and then in another direc- 25 tion, a shiftable cap chute arranged to support a plurality of closure caps above the path of the feeding means, and means operable to shift said cap chute toward and from the feeding means incident to movement of the feeding means in 30 respective directions.

18. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, reciprocable feeding means operable to transport a packing vessel to and fro, a rockingly mounted cap chute arranged to support a plu- 35 rality of closure caps above the path of the feeding means, and means for rocking the cap chute to elevated position after the vessel has passed it in one direction and to lowered position after thevessel has passed it in the opposite direction.

19. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, feeding means operable to move packing:

vessels successively in opposite directions on a straight path, and cap-applying means adapted to support closure caps for application to packing vessels in the course of their movement by the feeding means and operable to move closure caps into and out of the path of the vessels incident to their movements in respective directions.

20. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing chamber, means for supplying hot vapor thereinto, a sealing device in said chamber and having fluid passages, means for conducting cooling fluid from externally of said chamber to said passages and from said passages to a point exterior of said chamber, and feeding means for moving packing vessels into said chamber and to said sealing device and from said sealing device out of said chamber.

2,1. In a package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing chamber, means for supplying hot vapor thereinto, a sealing head in said chamber and having interior fluid passages, means for pressing said sealing head into engagement with a closure cap on a vessel therebelow, means for conducting cooling fluid to said passages from externally of the sealing chamber, said sealing head being provided with an outlet for conducting fluid from its interior passages into cor'itact with a closure cap in engagement with the sealing head, and a valve normally closing said outlet and operable to open same incident to movement of the sealing head into engagement with the closure cap.

' 22. In package sealing apparatus, in combination, a sealing head having an interior passage, means for pressing said sealing head into engagement with a closure cap on a vessel therebelow, means for conducting cooling fluid to the interior passage of the sealing head, said sealing head being provided with an outlet for conducting fluid from its interior passage into contact with a closure cap in engagement with the sealing head, and a valve normally closing said outlet and operable to open same incident to movement of the sealing head into engagement with the closure cap.

GEORGE P. WHITE. 

